Waverley RC 10 September 2023 – R6 – Lisa Allpress

Background:

Following the running of Race 6, the ‘Waverley Harvesting & Big Blade Hedge Cutting Mdn 1650’, Respondent Mrs Lisa Allpress defended a charge of careless riding filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d).

Details of the alleged breach are as follows:

‘in that L Allpress (Tshiebwe) allowed her mount to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear of Kawatiri (C Dell) which was checked entering the back straight.‘

Rule 638(1)(d) provides: A rider shall not ride a horse in a manner which the Adjudicative Committee considers to be careless.

Mrs Allpress confirmed that she was defending the charge.

Evidence:

Using available film, Stewards demonstrated the incident and horses involved.

After leaving the gates and approaching the first turn, TSHIEBWE, who had started from barrier 9, had SMOOTH PASS (Ms L Hemi),  SOUND TRACK (Ms K Hercock) and KAWATIRI to it’s inside. On TSHIEBWE pushing forward, Ms Hemi is seen to take hold of her mount. In turn, KAWATIRI is checked, with minor interference also caused to SOUND TRACK. It was the Stewards’ contention that the check was caused by Mrs Allpress seeking to cross when insufficiently clear.

Mrs Allpress noted that when pushing forward, she did not cross to the fence and maintained that the check was the result of an over reaction by Mr Dell to that movement to his outside.

Mr Dell was called as a witness for the Stewards.  He was of the view that the check was caused by pressure from his outside and when asked, he conveyed that in his view, such pressure was caused by Mrs Allpress.  When given the opportunity, Mrs Allpress asked Mr Dell whether she was against the fence at the time of the incident – to which he replied no.

Reasons for Decision:

The Adjudicative Committee considered all available film angles, along with evidence as presented. Reliance is placed upon the evidence of Mr Dell. The Adjudicative Committee determined the actions of Mrs Allpress were the primary factor in the incident occurring. As such, her actions are deemed to amount to careless riding.

Decision:

The charge is found proved.

Submissions for Penalty:

Stewards contended that the breach sat within the low to mid range and referred to the current Penalty Guideline.  Mrs Allpress sought deferment of any imposed suspension to satisfy riding engagements at New Plymouth on 16 September 2023.

Reasons for Penalty:

After consideration, the Adjudicative Committee determined Mrs Allpress’ carelessness to be in the low range and adopted a 5 day suspension as a starting point. This conforms with current NZTR Penalty Guidelines. It was noted that her last breach under this Rule was on 11 September 2022 at Waverley. Whilst acknowledging that Mrs Allpress has recently returned to riding after an enforced layoff, her record is commendable. As such, a 1 day reduction in penalty is deemed appropriate. A suspension of 4 National Riding Days is therefore imposed.

Conclusion:

The Respondent’s request for deferment is granted and her Licence to ride in races is suspended from the close of racing on Saturday 16 September 2023, up to and including 22 September 2023 – 4 National Riding Days.